Reveillon Celebration Returns to Jefferson Parish in 2018

Old Metairie Garden Club welcomes a NEW/OLD tradition back to Old Metairie starting Friday, November 23rd.

NEW ORLEANS, LA, November 13, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ — “Reveillon On The Ridge” is a season to ‘Savor & Save’ with special reveillon menus at Metairie restaurants and savings for shoppers – lasting from November 23rd through January 6, 2019 – plus festive events too! Maureen Brennan McConnell, a lifetime Old Metairie resident and Board Member, is producing Reveillon On The Ridge for Old Metairie Garden Club.

Reveillon On The Ridge has already been chosen a Travel Treasure for Holiday Season 2018 by the American Automobile Association. An article highlighting the season/festival, and Old Metairie, is in the current issue of AAA Traveller Magazine which has a circulation of 933,000 households in addition to newsstands.

Old Metairie Garden Club, through the assistance of Jefferson Parish and Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken, will light up Bayou Metairie Park on December 18th when dusk falls on the Old Metairie Farmer’s Market or FAMM. One of the stately ancient cypress trees will be decorated in full Christmas Tree splendor: a massive twinkling star on top, giant ball and sparkling fleurs de lis ornaments all over. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will be present to proclaim the tree the “Honorary Christmas Tree Of Louisiana” at the pivotal festival on December 23rd from 6-10pm.

Also at the Dec. 23rd event titled “The Ring-A-Long Sing-A-Long Festival,” Santa & Mr. Bingle will arrive aboard an old New Orleans style ‘streetcar’ while children ride a real-life Christmas train around the base of the giant Christmas tree. Noted pianist Harry Mayronne Jr. will take the stage to play Christmas carols. Santa will lead the crowd to ‘sing-a-long and ring-a-long’ (BYOBells) to everyone’s holiday favorites! Refreshments of the season will be available such as hot cocoa, cookies, Santa’s favorite savory sliders, handpies, and lots more goodies! There will be plenty of photo opportunities, chances to make lasting memories — and maybe even Sneaux! The fun starts up at 6pm, right after the Saint’s game.

On December 31st, the “Noon Years Eve Party” kicks off at 11:00am in Bayou Metairie Park, when area children gather to ring in the new year with a giant bubble launch at noon. All will count down the seconds, just like the grownups, and then blow lots of bubbles to herald in 2019. Just for fun!

All season long, Bayou Metairie Park (on Metairie Road at Labarre) will be ablaze in lights nightly! A wooden replica of the historic, original Blue Line Streetcar will invite folks to peek through the windows and take nostalgic pictures.

Reveillon On The Ridge is a modern festival with very old roots. The “reveillon” is a French creole celebration which goes back to the 1700s in New Orleans. Throughout the Christmas season, families would go to church services and then enjoy a late supper (or reveillon) either at the homes of friends and family or, later, at public houses (restaurants). Metairie Ridge, which spans the length of Metairie Road, was – and is – high ground where plantations like the de LaBarre Plantation once stood. It is safe to assume that these plantations were the sites of many reveillon celebrations in the early days of our area’s history.

All through the Reveillon On The Ridge season, restaurants across Metairie will feature festive “reveillon menus” like the ancestors served back in days of old. Retail shops will join the fun, with “reveillon sales” to encourage gift shopping that supports small, local businesses! New Reveillon Business Partners are joining in daily. A partial list includes Aucoin-Hart Jewelers, Canola Grill, Cutee Patootee Gifts, Taj Mahal Restaurant, Rock-n-Sake, PuroClean and Nonie’s Pet Care. A full list of Reveillon Partner Specials is constantly updated and available on the Old Metairie Garden Club website. Special menus and savings will be available until January 6th.

And all one has to do is simply ask, “What’s your Reveillon special?” to enjoy!

Old Metairie Garden Club (OMGC) is an active civic/social group which also produces the Old Metairie FAMMly Market, a farmers’ and arts market held the 3rd Tuesday of every month. The club also hosts popular Movie Night events and Live Music events – all at Bayou Metairie Park.

For more information on OMGC or to join the club, go to www.oldmetairiegardenclub.com or visit facebook: Old Metairie Garden Club. For press inquiries only please contact Stephanie Robbins of New Orleans, LA at 504.655.6460 or at [email protected].

Old Metairie Garden Club was started by Carmen Waring, our founder in 2017.